Report
TheVardellReport
Autumn Lake Healthcare at Berkeley Heights
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
35 Cottage Street
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Report
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The Vardell Report.Autumn Lake Healthcare at Berkeley Heights
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Nursing home
- Location
- Berkeley Heights, NJ
- Record Period
- 2022–2026
- Source Documents
- 8
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 6 inspections from November 2022 to January 2026, state surveyors documented 21 findings at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Berkeley Heights; 21 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
- Inspections
- 6
- 2022–2026, complaint, standard and infection control
- Findings
- 21
- Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
- Corrected
- 21
- Of 21 findings, with a recorded correction date
- Penalties
- 1
- 1 fine; payment not published
Findings by Year
- Findings
- Of which, actual harm (level G or above)
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 14 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What the Record Shows
- 21 of 21 findings have a recorded correction date.
- CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $102,660, its payment not published.
- 2 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- The latest standard inspection, November 18, 2025, recorded 2 findings (most serious: Level E).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Berkeley Heights
- Address
- 35 Cottage Street, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
- CMS Certification Number
- 315195
- Provider Type
- Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
- Certified Beds
- 130
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Record Window
- November 15, 2022 to October 1, 2026
Chronology
Inspection History
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- 2026
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 3, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
Standard health inspection
2 findings
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 18, 2025
- F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 18, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
Infection control inspection
1 finding
- F883Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 5, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Standard health inspection
14 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
- F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level GActual harmCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F728Ensure that nurse aides who have worked more than 4 months, are trained and competent; and nurse aides who have worked less than 4 months are enrolled in appropriate training.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F882Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F732Post nurse staffing information every day.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
- F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 10, 2024
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $102,660 imposed July 19, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of July 19, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Infection control inspection
No findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2022
Standard health inspection
3 findings
- F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 16, 2022
- F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 24, 2022
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 24, 2022
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
Patterns Worth Examining
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
- 1
Professional Standards, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F658 in November 2022 and July 2024. This citation covers whether the home’s services meet professional standards of quality. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
222424252526F658 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest - 2
Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F689 in November 2025 and January 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
222424252526F689 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest - 3
Medication Labeling and Storage, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F761 in November 2022 and July 2024. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
222424252526F761 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest
For Your Next Visit
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
- 01
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
- 02
What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?
Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
- 03
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
- 04
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
- 05
What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $102,660 civil money penalty was imposed July 19, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.
The Evidence
Sources and Coverage
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the New Jersey state survey agency.
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Nov 15, 2022 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Feb 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Jul 19, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Feb 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Nov 18, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Jan 21, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Penalties, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Provider Information, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 315195
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowNovember 15, 2022 – October 1, 2026
- CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before November 2022 are not in this release.
- CMS refreshes these files monthly, after statements of deficiencies are processed, so an inspection from the last two months may not appear yet.
What This Report Cannot Tell You
- Complaints not investigated onsite
- Allegations screened out by the state before an onsite visit are not published.
- Complaint allegations
- CMS publishes the deficiencies a complaint survey cited, not the allegation itself.
- Facility-reported incidents
- Self-reported incidents appear only if they led to an inspection.
- Follow-up visits
- CMS's files list standard, complaint and infection control surveys, not revisits; a correction date is the one CMS records.
- Fire safety inspections
- Published by CMS separately and not included in this record yet.
- Staffing levels and ownership history
- Published by CMS separately and not included in this record.
- Whether fines were paid
- CMS publishes the fines imposed, not whether or when they were paid.
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.